Monterey County WILPF member seeks to put Vandenberg Air Force Base on trial

Santa Barbara, Monterey County, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles and Oakland WILPF members gathered in front of the Santa Barbara Court House just before MacGregor Eddy's first trial on January 19. MacGregor and her lawyer did not challenge the prosecution's charge that she had knowingly crossed the line at the Vandenberg Air Force gate and taken about twelve steps onto the base property.

When the base personnel arrested her and charged her with the crime of trespassing, MacGregor responded that she was charging them with a greater crime: that of breaking domestic and international law when they participated in the shock and awe satellite guided bombing of Iraq, and in their continuing prosecution of a war which is illegal under the UN Charter. The U.S. has ratified that charter which is now, under Article VI of our constitution, part of the supreme law of our land.

MacGregor tried to read the Nuremberg principles to the arresting officers. She also tried to hand them a copy of the Non-VIolent Handbook by Sanderson Beck, from which she was reading the principles at the time of her detention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monterey WILPF members came to the pre-trial rally prepared with colorful signs, banners and broad smiles.

Mac Gregory Eddy (center right in black jacket) and Judy Evered (center left in green WILPF sweat shirt, with straw hat) stand in front of the Santa Barbara Court House with about 40 demonstrators before the first trial.

After only two speeches had been delivered on the open mike, a policeman (friendly) stopped by to warn participants that Santa Barbara city ordinances did not allow amplification on the streets, either with or without a permit. So Monterey WILPFers led the rest of the group in perfectly legal heartfelt singing of those "old" anti-war songs popular in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

On February 16 MacGregor and lawyers for the prosecution and defense returned to argue the form of MacGregor's defense. MacGregor asked the right to a defense claiming that she broke the law on the basis of "greater necessity." Daniel Ellsberg and Dr. Richard Falk had agreed to testify on her behalf, saying that she was obliged to act because officers at Vandenberg Air Force Base are engaged in criminal acts when they participate in the bombing of Iraq. These are acts which are in violation of both the UN Charter and the Vandenberg principles, and this kind of action was the only course open to her as a citizen committed to upholding the law and to non-violence.

The judge, in the end, did not allow this argument. On March 16 MacGregor testified briefly in her own defense, explaining her effort to inform those arresting her of their complicity in illegal acts. The judge acknowledged that principled acts such as MacGregor's are part of our American tradition and heritage, but nonetheless found her guilty of trespass. The sentencing will take place in June. The trial received AP coverage, and local area radio, press and TV interviews.

MacGregor expects to be imprisoned in Los Angeles and hopes this can be used to draw more attention to Vandenberg Air Force base and its role in pre-emptive wars as well as in developing missile defense and weapons in space.

photos and text are by Carol Urner